Join Social media sites such as facebook or Google+ and look for ISB related groups pertaining to your class, you are encouraged to participate in group discussions and network with your peers, feel free to address all your queries about India and Indian culture in the group, typically you will receive a useful response.

One month before:

Confirm registration arrangements at the ISB.

Check the academic details for course and the requirements for pre-term courses that you might consider taking.

Ensure that the initial registration fees as required by ISB are transferred and received.

Bear in mind that there will be currency exchange rate fluctuations in the amount transferred. ISB will update you of the same on receipt of the amount.

Buy and confirm your air tickets.

If you plan to arrive prior to the registration date, please make arrangements for your accommodation in Hyderabad. ISB will ONLY provide accommodation from the day of the registration.

Learn as much about India as you can, typically websites such as youtube and google will provide you with useful links and information.

The temperature in Hyderabad varies from 25 degrees Celsius to about 35 degrees in Summer, also it rains for 4 months in the year, so please bring an umbrella, and clothing as required.

Ensure that you obtain all the required documents for registration (Originals) such as (but not limited to):

Identity proof - any one of the following in original - Passport or Driver’s license or PAN Card or Voter ID Card).

Date of birth proof (Passport or Year 10 mark sheet).

Original Year 12/Diploma mark sheet.

Original Bachelor’s, Master’s and Professional Degree Mark sheets/Transcripts for all semesters/years.

Professional and Master’s - only for those who have these degrees.

Certified Medical History Form and Medical Examination Form.

"Student Visa" or other permit (like PIO card) for international students which allows them to undertake full-time study in India for the entire duration of the course i.e. should be valid till the end of the program.

Copy of Last salary slip and a Relieving letter from the last employer. If you are on sabbatical or leave, you may submit a copy of the permission letter. If you are self employed, you may submit a self declaration as given in the “forms” page.

Tax returns for the past 2 years.

One week before:

Keep School address and contact numbers on your person.

Ensure that you have been allotted accommodation at ISB, carry your Student village and room details with you. (you will be asked to produce this at the security gate prior to entry into ISB.

Obtain a small amount of Indian currency (about INR 5000) for use upon arrival and for emergencies. In addition to cash of INR 5000, it is recommended that you bring most of the funds in traveler’s cheques in INR, however, an ATM for credit/debit cards is available on campus. Also try to keep currency in denominations of 50, 100 and 500 as larger denominations will be more difficult to obtain change at local shops, Cabs and restaurants.

Check customs and quarantine regulations and pack separately any items which you need to declare e.g. food, agriculture products, laptop, etc. Detailed information about Indian customs regulations is available from the Indian Embassy or high commission in your country. You may log on to www.cbec.gov.in for information on Indian customs regulations

Bring about 12 Passport size photographs (recent) these will be useful in various registrations and procedures.

Mobile phone connections will be available during the registration day, there will be several vendors on campus from whom you may purchase SIM cards, however you will have to bring your own handset (unlocked – GSM type).

Check the baggage allowance in the flights you take, be aware that certain domestic connection flights within India might have lower baggage allowances than international flights into the country.

Post Arrival Checklist:

In the Airport, there are several ATM’s and currency exchanges where you may withdraw money in rupees.

When you arrive at ISB security gate, please provide your admission letter and accommodation details, you will be given the directions to your student village.

At the Student Village reception you will be given the keys to your apartment.

Be aware that the registration process will take about half a day, post which you will have to go about getting your health insurance, Bank account and Mobile phone.

Register with the police department within 2 weeks of your arrival (Foreigners Registration Office) ISB will facilitate the process. Please check the procedures for the FRO prior to visiting your local police department for the registration.

Practice going out with some friends in an auto rickshaw before heading off by yourself

The water on campus is completely safe, but be careful outside (drink bottled water only).

Electrical plug adapters are available with the IT department located in the Academic Centre, Level 5.

There is a grocery store / mini supermarket in the Student Village 1, you can visit this to purchase basic groceries and supplies that you may require (for example: Snacks, Shampoo, soaps , toothpaste etc)

India is a great place, so make the most of your time here! You can plan trips with the ISB travel desk. They will deliver your tickets on campus

Registration and Visa:

Application forms are due at least 1 month prior to the term of joining. Please courier your materials at least 2 weeks before this deadline to ensure that it arrives on time.

Expected date of arrivalYou are expected to arrive on campus by the orientation day. The orientation for any term will take place on the Friday preceding the first day of the term.

VisaVisas are required for all nationalities and the processing usually takes 1-2 months from the time of application. You will be provided with a visa letter addressed to the Indian embassy in your country. Please write to Asma Mohajir (asma_mohajir@isb.edu) for your visa letter. The students are expected to take care of all other visa formalities. All international students will need a visa to study in India, and an ordinary tourist visa will not be sufficient. Please contact the Indian embassy in the home country for further details.

To get a visa for India, you need to submit a number of documents, which are:

Visa application form

Passport, having a minimum validity of six months on the date of application.

Two identical passport sized photographs

Supporting documents, depending upon the type of visa

Visa fee

Visitors also need a valid permit to visit certain restricted/protected areas. They must fill up their Disembarkation/ Embarkation cards on arrival/departure. Foreigners visiting India, who hold long-term visas (more than 180 days), are required to obtain a Registration Certificate and Residential Permit from the nearest Foreigners' Registration Office (FRRO) within 15 days of arrival. The foreigners registered at FRRO are required to report change of their addresses. Certificates of registration issued by the Registration Officers should be surrendered to the immigration officer at the port/check post of exit from India. Passengers embarking on journeys to any place outside India from a Customs airport / seaport are required to pay a Foreign Travel Tax (FTT) of Rs 500 to most countries and Rs 150 on journeys to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Before embarking on your Indian trip, the foreigners must get familiar with different diseases that are common in Indian climatic conditions. Here is a comprehensive list of the most vaccinations for those visiting India.

Hepatitis A: This vaccination is recommended for all travelers to India.

Hepatitis B: Travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents should take this vaccination, especially if their period of stay is more than 6 months.

Typhoid: All travellers are recommended to take Typhoid vaccination.

Yellow Fever: Vaccination for this is required only for travelers arriving from or passing through any yellow-fever-infected area like Africa.

Japanese Encephalitis: This vaccine is recommended for travelers staying for more than 1 month and travelling to rural areas or travelers engaging in extensive unprotected outdoor activities in rural areas, especially after dusk.

Rabies: Any traveler who may have direct contact with animals should take this vaccination.

FRO/ FRRO:

There are some atypical health risks in certain interior regions of India including Cholera, Dengue Fever, Dysentery, Malaria and Meningitis. Travellers are advised to take precautionary measures against the same.